Cleavage enhancing bra system

ABSTRACT

A device for enhancing breasts is provided that includes a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user and a first cup coupled to a first end of the frame and adapted to at least partially cover a first breast of the user. The device also includes a first element coupled to the first end of the frame and adapted to exert a first mediolateral compressive force on the first breast. A device for enhancing breasts is provided that includes first and second cups coupled to a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user. The first and second cups are spaced from each on a front of the user when the device is worn by the user. The device also includes means for enhancing breasts of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/369,872 filed Aug. 2, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bras or brassieres, and in particular relates to a bra having an open front between the cups and an enhancing element that adjustably increases the cleavage of a person wearing the bra.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Bras have been used to cover, support and enhance a woman's breasts for many years. Bras typically have over-the-shoulder straps, cups for each breast, a strap or straps around the back, and a strap connecting the cups in the front.

Bras are typically worn under clothing and are not visible to others. The trend in women's clothes has been toward more revealing clothes, creating a similar trend in bras to be smaller, thinner and/or less obtrusive. For example, strapless bras are useful for women wearing clothing that reveals the upper part of the shoulders.

Low cut dresses are sometimes worn by women that reveal the area on the chest of a woman between the breasts.

United States Patent Application No. 2010/0009598 discusses an open front undergarment having a form that allows the back of the garment to be closed and the front of the garment to be completely open and free from clasps, fabric or fasteners in the front between the cups. The open front undergarment includes a brassiere having an underwire and an overwire to form a frame, a rear band, a pair of cups extending from opposite ends of the rear band a cover material and a slip-resistant band. The underwire runs through the lower perimeter of a lower portion of the brassiere and the overwire runs through the upper perimeter. The underwire and overwire can be formed of a metal or a metal coated with plastic. The frame can also be formed of a single ductile member. The brassiere also includes a flexure region at the rear band to allow for flexure of the back and torso of the wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,511,641 discusses a self-supporting brassiere that fits snugly without completely encircling the torso, permitting free expansion of the chest without injury to the skin, and producing the novel effect of exposing an area of the body between the breasts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for enhancing breasts is provided that includes a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user and a first cup coupled to a first end of the frame and adapted to at least partially cover a first breast of the user. The device also includes a first element coupled to the first end of the frame and adapted to exert a first mediolateral compressive force on the first breast.

The device may include a second cup coupled to a second end of the member and adapted to at least partially cover a second breast of the user, and a second element coupled to the second end of the member and adapted to exert a second mediolateral compressive force on the second breast. In the device, the first and second cups may be spaced from each on a front of the user when the device is worn by the user.

The first element may be adjustable to at least one of increase and decrease the first mediolateral compressive force. The member may include plastic and/or metal. The first cup and/or the first element may be integrally formed with the member.

The first element may include metal wire formed in a loop with both ends of the loop terminating at the first end of the member. The first cup may include metal wire formed in a loop with both ends of the loop terminating at the first end of the member.

The first element may include a plastic paddle. The member may be rigid and/or semi-rigid. The first cup may be adapted to conceal the first element from view when the device is worn by the user.

A device for enhancing breasts is provided that includes first and second cups coupled to a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user. The first and second cups are spaced from each on a front of the user when the device is worn by the user. The device also includes means for enhancing breasts of the user situated on the device where the first and second cups are coupled to the member.

The first and second cups may be adapted to at least partially cover a first breast and a second breast of the user, respectively. The means for enhancing breasts of the user may be adapted to exert a first mediolateral compressive force on a first breast of the user and a second mediolateral compressive force on a second breast of the user.

The means for enhancing breasts may be adjustable to increase and/or decrease the first and second mediolateral compressive forces. The member may include plastic and/or metal. The member may be rigid and/or semi-rigid.

The first and second cups may be adapted to at least partially conceal the means for enhancing breasts of the user when the device is worn by the user. The means for enhancing breasts of the user may be integrally formed with the member. The means for enhancing breasts of the user may include first and second metal wire loops coupled to the member proximate to where the first and second cups are coupled to the member. The means for enhancing breasts of the user may include a plastic paddle.

The present invention provides a strapless bra that includes a generally “C” shaped spring frame which extends around the back of the user. Each end of the frame engages a bra cup for supporting the breasts and exerts lateral and radial compressive forces through the bra cups for enhancement of cleavage. A projection from the frame may extend into the cup region to press mediolaterally on the breasts. The projection may be integrated in the frame, and may be composed of metal, plastic, or any other appropriate material.

The structure of the projection may be rigid or semi-rigid, metal or plastic, for instance coat hanger grade metal wire, arranged in a loop extending from the outer edge of the cup region toward the center. Alternatively, a paddle-shaped plastic element may be used.

These objects and the details of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a person wearing a strapless bra constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the spring frame of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 without any fabric coverings;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the spring frame;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the bra with the spring frame biased open;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the bra, with the cups shown in an unstressed position;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the bra with the spring frame biased open;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a person wearing a strapless bra constructed in accordance with an alternate exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged scale sectional view taken along the plane 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged side elevation view of an exemplary cleavage enhancing element for a strapless bra; and

FIG. 9B is an enlarged plan view of an alternative exemplary cleavage enhancing element for a strapless bra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a person shown in dashed lines wearing strapless enhancement bra 10 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Bra 10 includes a pair of cups 12 which may be formed of fabric or the like and may include a soft lining or padding. Cups 12 may each include exterior loop 16, which may be rigid or semi-rigid and composed of wire and/or plastic. The lining or padding of cups 12 may extend across a central area defined by exterior loops 16. Exterior loops 16 may connect to back member 20 at connection point 26. Back member 20 may be rigid or semi-rigid and composed of wire and/or plastic. Exterior loops 16 may be a continuation of the same wire metal of back member 20, and therefore connection point 26 may be at a bend in the material forming back member 20 and exterior loops 16. Interior loop 18 may extend into a cup region of cup 12 and may connect to back member 20 at connection point 26. Interior loop 18 may be composed of the same material as back member 20, or alternatively may be connected to back member 20 by a joint, which may be permanently or removably attachable. Interior loops 18 may be positioned away from the skin of a user with some or all of the lining or padding of cups 12 being between interior loops 18 and the user's skin. Alternatively, interior loops 18 may be directly adjacent to a user's skin, and/or may include a separate padding or lining extending across a central area defined by interior loops 18.

Bra 10 may provide space 28 between cups 12 on a front side of the user. Interior loop 18 may provide a cleavage enhancing function to bra 10 by pressing mediolaterally, or towards a center line, namely towards space 28, on the breasts of the user. The mediolateral force provided by interior loops 18 may derive from the rigid or semi-rigid characteristics of back member 20. The rigid or semi-rigid characteristics of back member 20 may also provide a mediolateral force to cups 12 to improve the covering and/or supporting function of cups 12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of spring frame 14 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in a position wherein the ends are pulled apart or in the position as worn by a user, not shown. Spring frame 14 is generally “C” shaped and adapted to extend around the back of a user. Spring frame 14 may be formed of metal or plastic rod and may include peripheral spans 17, which may be contiguous with exterior loops 16 by forming looped ends on a single piece of rod or wire forming peripheral spans 17. Spring frame 14 may also include interior spans 19, which may be contiguous with interior loops 18 by forming looped ends on a single piece of rod or wire forming peripheral spans 19. In this case, cups 12 may be adjusted to change the support and coverage provided by the lining and padding by adjusting a bend in the wire forming peripheral spans 17 and exterior loops 16 at connection point 26 Likewise, in this embodiment, an enhancing effect of interior loops 18 may be adjusted by changing the direction and/or amount of bend in the wire forming interior spans 19 and interior loops 18 at connection point 26.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of spring frame 14 comprising bent rods forming back member 20. The peripheral spans 17 of back member 20 are bent at connection point 26 and form exterior loops 16. Exterior loops 16 form the periphery of a bra cup that is adapted to cover and/or support a breast, and internal loop 18 forms a cleavage enhancing element that exerts a lateral compressive force on the breast. The end portions of internal loop 18 may form loops within the confines of the looped ends of the peripheral span, and may include additional padding material in the form of a plastic covering, foam covering, or any other appropriate fabric or material.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of bra 10, with cups 12 being pulled apart against the bias of the spring frame. When strapless bra 10 is worn by user, apex portions 22, 24 of cups 12 are spaced from one another, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Exterior loops 16 define the periphery of cups 12 and include apex portions 22, 24, and fabric and/or padding is stretched between exterior loops 16. Similar padding or fabric may be used to cover back member 20.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of bra 10, with cups 12 in an unstressed position. When bra 10 is not being worn by a user, the spring frame urges apex portions 22, 24 of cups 12 to overlap, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of bra 10, with cups 12 illustrated in an unstressed position. Back member 20 includes the spring frame, and the spring frame urges apex portions 22, 24 of cups 12 to overlap, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of bra 10 a in which bra cup 12 a is formed of a semi-rigid molded material and spring frame 14 a comprises rods having ends which are adjustably slidably received in cup 12 a. In the alternate embodiment, strapless enhancement bra 10 a includes a pair of cups 12 a, each of which is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or foam. A “C” shaped spring frame 14 a is comprised of a plurality of rods 17 a, 19 a, having generally parallel end portions. The cleavage enhancement provided by bra 10 a may be adjusted by positioning the ends of the rods 17 a, 19 a at connection point 26 to adjust the size of enhancing element 36. Alternatively, spring frame 14 a may be made of plastic or any other appropriate material.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged scale fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing sockets which receive the rods of the spring frame. A pair of cups 12 a is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or foam and may include inner padded liner 30 a of fabric or foam. A “C” shaped spring frame 14 a is comprised of a plurality of rods 17 a, 19 a, having generally parallel end portions which are slidingly received in mating apertures 32 a, which extend laterally into each bra cup 12 a. The cleavage enhancement provided by bra 10 a may be adjusted by positioning the ends of the rods 17 a, 19 a within the apertures 32 a to adjust the size of enhancing element 36.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged side elevation view of connection point 26 of an exemplary cleavage enhancing element for bra 10 or 10 a. Back member 20 a includes receiving element 35 that is adapted to receive cleavage enhancing member 36 at adjustment point 34. By increasing or decreasing the distance which cleavage enhancing member 36 is inserted into receiving element 35, the cleavage enhancing aspect of the invention may be increased or decreased. Any appropriate connection mechanism may be used by receiving element 35 and cleavage enhancing member 36, for instance a friction fit or a spring loaded latch interacting with a notched element. Such a spring loaded element may be actively controlled by a button, or may be activated by pushing or pulling the associated member or element to compress the spring to release the latch from the notch.

FIG. 9B is an enlarged plan view of connection point 26 of an alternative cleavage enhancing element for bra 10 or 10 a. Paddle 38 is connected by hinge 39 to back member 20 a. Paddle 38 is internal to cup 12 a in FIG. 9B. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, paddle 38 may be integrally formed with cup 12 a and may be sandwiched between different padding and/or lining layers of cup 12 a. Hinge 39 may be operated by any appropriate method, including for instance by direct adjustment by a user and/or by a button allowing free movement, the release of which button would lock hinge 39 in position.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. For instance, the cleavage enhancing element described herein may be used with a bra having over-the-shoulder straps, and/or with a bra that has cups that connect in the front of a user. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. A device for enhancing breasts, comprising: a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user; a first cup coupled to a first end of the frame and adapted to at least partially cover a first breast of the user; and a first element coupled to the first end of the frame and adapted to exert a first mediolateral compressive force on the first breast.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second cup coupled to a second end of the member and adapted to at least partially cover a second breast of the user; and a second element coupled to the second end of the member and adapted to exert a second mediolateral compressive force on the second breast; wherein the first and second cups are spaced from each on a front of the user when the device is worn by the user.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element is adjustable to at least one of increase and decrease the first mediolateral compressive force.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the member comprises one of plastic and metal.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cup and the first element is integrally formed with the member.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises metal wire formed in a loop with both ends of the loop terminating at the first end of the member.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first cup comprises metal wire formed in a loop with both ends of the loop terminating at the first end of the member.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a plastic paddle.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is one of rigid and semi-rigid.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first cup is adapted to conceal the first element from view when the device is worn by the user.
 11. A device for enhancing breasts, comprising: first and second cups coupled to a member adapted to extend along at least a portion of a back of a user, the first and second cups being spaced from each on a front of the user when the device is worn by the user; and means for enhancing breasts of the user situated on the device where the first and second cups are coupled to the member.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second cups are adapted to at least partially cover a first breast and a second breast of the user, respectively.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for enhancing breasts of the user are adapted to exert a first mediolateral compressive force on a first breast of the user and a second mediolateral compressive force on a second breast of the user.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for enhancing breasts is adjustable to at least one of increase and decrease the first and second mediolateral compressive forces.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the member comprises one of plastic and metal.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the member is one of rigid and semi-rigid.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second cups are adapted to at least partially conceal the means for enhancing breasts of the user when the device is worn by the user.
 18. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for enhancing breasts of the user is integrally formed with the member.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for enhancing breasts of the user comprises first and second metal wire loops coupled to the member proximate to where the first and second cups are coupled to the member.
 20. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for enhancing breasts of the user comprises a plastic paddle. 